Dragons - BFI

Originally recorded in 1970, but dismissed as too 'far out' by record companies in California at the time, Ninja Tune now bring you BFI, the great lost prog-surf-funk-rock album discovered by the current DJ Food, Strictly Kev. Whether or not you buy the story behind The Dragons (Ninja initially couldn't believe the recording was not a modern one), the album stands on its own merits. The psychedelic organ led stomp of opener Cosmosis could be the house band from Austin Powers' favourite nightclub, while the sublime Food For My Soul is a slice of pure Californian surf-pop to be savoured. Amplified Emotion, a prog-structured paean to the waves, recalls King Crimson and The Beach Boys simultaneously, while the funked-up strut of Sandman features bizarre male-female harmonising and vocal effects that are light years ahead of their time. The rest of the album takes in free jazz, blues riffs, gospel and plenty of Doors-like organ experimentation, all produced with dazzlingly unconventional studio techniques that were revolutionary for the time. Unsurprisingly, many of The Dragons went on to tour with the likes of the Beach Boys – it's only fitting that something as remarkable as this album would eventually find its way to light. And if it's a fake, it's a very, very good one. [Bram Gieben]